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Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Dee

So you’re looking for an art scanner to digitize your favorite paintings? It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of scanners on the market.

Even if you aren’t a digital artist or designer it’s a good idea to digitize your work. It doesn’t matter if you wanted high-quality reproductions to use on your portfolio, to post your image as an original online for sale, or to create your own beautiful archival art print.

But with so many choices out there, which one should you get? In this blog post, I’ll take a closer look at some of the best scanners in 2023 and help you decide!

**This page may contain affiliate links to products I have used or recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.**

6 best scanners for your artwork (Watercolors, Illustration, and Sketches)

Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner

The Epson Perfection V600 Scanner is an ideal solution for home or small office use. Its 6400 dpi resolution and advanced DIGITAL ICE technology are key factors that make this product a perfect choice for photo and document scanning. The DCScanner also allows you to scan slides, prints, and negatives.

This scanner comes with a user manual that walks you through the features and functions of this scanner. The Epson Perfection V600 Photo can scan everyday documents and photos with outstanding quality. With its DIGITAL ICE technology, it provides one-touch color restoration and offers 6400 x 9600 dpi resolution. The Epson Perfection V600 Scanner is compatible with Adobe Photoshop Elements, which makes it an excellent choice for digital photographers.

The V600 has four customizable buttons. The ABBY FineReader OCR software allows you to convert scanned documents into editable text. The software includes ArcSoft PhotoStudio, which is a great photo-editing application. It’s also capable of scanning medium-format panoramic film. While it’s slow, the Epson Perfection V600 is an excellent option for a home office.

The Epson Perfection V600 Scanner offers enhanced features for both home and small-scale businesses. It can scan medium-formats and books with excellent image quality. The scanner’s built-in Copy Utility and SilverFast software help make scanning faster and easier. They also reduce power consumption, which means it’s better for the environment. You can buy an Epson Perfection V600 scanner today and enjoy its benefits.

The Epson V600 Scanner offers high-resolution images. Its 6400 dpi resolution is perfect for scanning documents and photos. It also features a slide holder. You can scan medium-format panorama film with this scanner. The photo holder allows you to preserve a photograph’s beauty. You’ll be amazed at how well it scans. The Photo holder is a bonus for the Epson Perfection V600 Scanner.

Pros

It can scan medium-formats and books

6400 dpi resolution

capable of scanning medium-format panoramic film

excellent image quality

Cons

Slow scanning

Epson Perfection V39 Color Photo & Document Scanner

Top of the range A4 art scanner

The Epson Perfection V39 Color Photo / Document Scanner is a powerful, versatile scanner. The device has a high resolution of 4800 dpi and a scan speed of 10 seconds at 300 dpi. The machine is easy to use and comes with four built-in buttons for quick operation. The sleek design lets you easily scan photos, documents, and more to social media.

With a full-detachable lid, this device is easy to use and allows you to scan thick books or magazine pages. It also comes with an optical-character recognition feature, which enables you to join A4 sections. You can scan documents and photos from any angle, and the scanner can also produce a searchable PDF. It can even handle larger items, including bound books and magazines.

The V39 can scan documents and photo prints at a high resolution, enabling you to crop photos without reducing their resolution. The scanner’s maximum resolution of 4800 dpi is more than enough for scanning photo prints.

The Epson Perfection V39 Color Photo / Document Scanner comes with a downloadable software program that lets you scan documents and photos to a computer. This software is compatible with Windows and Mac and is compatible with Windows. This software requires a Mac or PC that is connected to your scanner. You can scan documents and photos at up to 4800 dpi and can even upload them to cloud services.

The Epson Perfection V39 offers a high resolution at an affordable price. This device also has an auto-scanning feature that allows you to scan a document into an email or a cloud service. In addition to these features, the Epson Perfection V39 also has a removable lid that makes it easier to scan large items. This scanner is a great option for scanning documents because of its compact size. The Epson Perfection V39’s USB cable is compatible with all modern devices and it can even be used as a USB connection.

Pros

Compact size

high resolution of 4800 dpi

scan speed of 10 seconds at 300 dpi.

has a removable lid that makes it easier to scan large items.

Cons

Only up to size A4, or you can use the software to stitch your images together.

Epson Perfection V19 Color Photo & Document Scanner

Top of the range A4 art scanner

The compact design of the Epson Perfection V19 scanner makes it a good choice for small offices or homes. It is capable of capturing letter-sized documents in as little as 10 seconds. It also has a fast scanning speed and no warm-up time. This printer only needs a single USB connection and delivers 4800 x 4800 dpi resolution. The printer requires only one USB connection to function and is extremely easy to use.

The Epson V19 has a 4800 dpi resolution, which means it can scan both photos and documents. It is easy to use and even beginners can do it easily.

It can scan documents with an original resolution of up to 9600 dpi. The scanner comes with Epson’s easy-to-follow software that helps you adjust the settings and save your work. Users will find that the scanner can even automatically crop a photo.

The Epson Perfection V19 features an integrated kickstand, which can help you scan letter-sized documents with ease. You can also use the software for restoring the color of faded photographs and transferring them to social media services.

The unit supports cloud sharing and only needs a single USB connection. This device supports scanning to computers, email, and Evernote. It can capture a letter-sized document in 10 seconds and is compatible with a range of files.

The scanner can scan documents in a variety of formats, including PDF. The scanner’s four buttons are labeled for specific functions, including copy, send, and photo. It also has an LED status light. The printer is easy to install and has four function buttons for capturing documents and photos.

The printer can be held up or placed on a tabletop for easy scanning of larger documents. Unlike other color scanners, the Epson Perfection V19 can scan to a computer directly to Picasa and Facebook.

Pros

fast scanning speed and no warm-up time

can be held up or placed on a tabletop for easy scanning of larger documents

Cons

Maximum size A4

Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed Scanner OS 1180 : 11.7×17 scan Size for Blueprints and Document.

Mid-range large format art scanner

The Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed SCANNER is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10. It can scan documents in color and grayscale.

The Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed SCANNER is a great choice for schools and libraries, because of its small footprint. It can handle a variety of large-format documents, including A3-sized prints. It is easy to use, and the process only takes 8 seconds. Unlike other flatbed scanners, the A3 has a built-in LED light source that allows for enhanced accuracy in OCR.

The A3 model provides 48-bit color depth, a high-resolution scan. Its software also offers automatic character enhancement. The A3 model can scan an A3 document at 1600 dpi. The A3 is compatible with Windows 10 64-bit operating system.

The A3 is compatible with many operating systems, including MacOS, Linux, and Linux. The CCD version of the A3 offers high-resolution images in color at 800 dpi. Its auto-scan function is handy for jobs that require fast turnaround. Both models feature a transparent unit.

The A3 has an optional LCD. In addition, a three-inch touch screen is built into the scanner’s front panel.

The Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed SCANNER features a microstep drive. It can scan up to 30 slides. It also has a batch-scan option. Its speed is 22 seconds per 300-dpi. This scanner is one of the best large-format flatbed scanners on the market. It offers great quality and low-price ratio. 

Pros

Larger scale scanning

Fast scanning

Cons

Not the highest quality scans

Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner

The CanoScan Lide 400 Slim SCANNER is an ideal scanner for those who want to preserve the details of a photograph while making it easy to manage the entire scanning process.

It includes a USB Type-C cable and ‘EZ’ Buttons for data and power and offers high-resolution scanning of up to 4800 x 4800 dpi.

The CanoScan Lide 400 is a compact scanner with a high-resolution scan and offers color restore and image enhancements and with a single-cable connection, it saves space and is very easy to use!

The CanoScan Lide 400 is a sleek and stylish scanner that includes several features that make it an ideal choice for professionals and home users alike. Its automatic document feeder feature preserves detailed photos and images while saving space on a desktop.

The built-in EZ Buttons help users easily access their scans. With a 5Gbps data transfer rate, the Lide 400 is the perfect scanner for business and home use.

The Canon CanoScan Lide 400 is a flatbed photo scanner with a high resolution of up to 4800 dpi. The Canon CanoScan Lide 400 also includes software to edit and convert scanned images. The CanoScan Lide 400 is compatible with Mac and Windows computers. The software is compatible with both operating systems. A single USB Type-C cable is sufficient for the scanning process.

The CanoScan Lide 400 is a full-color image scanner with 5 built-in EZ buttons and an advanced Z-lid expansion top. The scanner also features the Send to Cloud feature. It is capable of processing images at a maximum resolution of 19200 dpi and eight-second high-speed scanning.

The scanner comes with a Windows version. It is easy to use and is a great choice for those who want to digitize photographs and other digital files.

Compared to the Lide 120, the Lide 400 has a higher resolution and is the best choice for people who want to convert old photographs. It has an impressive DPI of 4800 and is the perfect scanner for those who want to scan A3-sized images. Its low-resolution version is more suitable for smaller pictures. It does not take up much space.

Pros

high-resolution scanning

Excellent photo scanning

Z-lid expansion top

a compact scanner

Cons

Only has a single USB C connection

No mobile device and wireless support

Epson Perfection V850 Pro scanner

Top of the range art scanner

The Epson Perfection V850 Photo scanner consistently delivers professional quality results from any photographic original.

It is a top-of-the-line scanner that quickly and easily converts all kinds of film and photos into high-quality digital images.

With its enhanced high-pass optics, the V850 Pro can scan at speeds that are up to twice as fast as other comparable scanners on the market.

And, because it requires virtually no warm-up time, it’s an ideal scanner for busy professional photographers and serious amateurs who want to get their work done quickly and efficiently.

The V850 Pro also features two sets of high-quality film holders, which makes it easy to scan different kinds of film without having to change holders.

In addition, the V850 Pro can automatically remove dust and scratches from scanned images, which means that you’ll get perfect results every time.

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line scanner that can handle all of your scanning needs, the Epson Perfection V850 Pro is the perfect choice.

Pros

Top of the range art scanner

Superb Quality

Cons

Expensive

Does not scan in large size

Buyer’s Guide – What to consider when buying an art scanner?

What do I need an art scanner for?

With the rise in popularity of modern media like watercolor, oil painting, and pen drawings, artists who want to create digital versions of their artwork are becoming more numerous.

An art scanner allows you to capture quality images of your artwork so that you can use them in design projects when needed. Depending on your specific needs, you may choose a flatbed scanner or a dedicated art scanner.

Differences between the two types

A flatbed scanner is similar to a traditional printer, but instead of feeding in paper or photos, you feed it artwork for scanning. A good flatbed scanner has features that ensure that your scanned image looks as close as possible to the original. Some of these features include a straighten tool and a color-correction tool.

The best art scanners are dedicated, meaning they have been designed specifically for scanning artwork. This is because dedicated tools have features that allow you to take images from various angles and optimize them so that they look as close as possible to the original work of art.

How much are you willing to spend?

Because most models are priced around $300, an art scanner is not a cheap investment. However, with the right research and planning, you’ll find that there are several good options in this price range. If your budget allows for it, consider shelling out some extra cash for a high-end model like the Epson Perfection V850 Pro. This high-speed scanner has an advanced automatic lens system and can be used to partially scan artwork.

Image Quality

When choosing an art scanner, consider its image quality. Art scanners are meant to create digital copies of your artwork so that you can share them online or work on them later. Choose a model with high resolution to ensure that your scanned images retain details.

[Related article: How to Improve Your Digital Creations | 22 Digital Painting Tips]

Connectivity

Most art scanners connect to your computer with a single USB cable. However, some models may require you to purchase additional cables or adapters that can increase costs and reduce convenience. Some of the best art scanners offer wireless connectivity as standard features, allowing you to connect them directly to Wi-Fi networks.

Which is the best scanner for art?

Top of the range large scale art scanner: Epson Perfection V850 Pro scanner

Top of the range A4 art scanner: Epson Perfection V19 Color Photo & Document Scanner with scan-to-cloud & 4800 dpi optical resolution, Black

How do I scan traditional art?

Right now we have amazing scanners which can capture the whole color depth and texture of your original art. Here are the essential tips that are required for scanning traditional art.

1. We recommend scanning your art at the highest DPI possible for the best results.

2. As mentioned before, you should always scan on a flatbed scanner so that it can capture the depth of brush strokes and texture in traditional pieces.

3. Use the scanning software to restore the colors, brightness, and resolution of your art before saving it for digital distribution.

4. When scanning artwork you can use 48-bit color depth to get the best possible results. Keep in mind that some scanners may not be able to scan this high which is why 24bit color works well too.

5. Finally, always remember to properly clean your scanner glass before each use and take care when moving any piece of artwork you intend to digitize as scratches or smudges will be apparent

Frequently Asked Questions about Art Scanners

Is it better to scan or photograph artwork?

The process of scanning is preferred over photographing. A photo is simply that- a picture that can be dark, light, or out of focus.

With the advanced sensors and software of today’s scanners, you will be able to enhance your images with high resolution (even higher than 300ppi) more accurate color depth, and even make small alterations to the image.

Check out Robyn’s Photography Academy if you want to improve your photography skills!

How do professionals scan artwork?

Using high-end technology, professional artists scan their artwork to ensure that the highest quality is produced. This way you know that your piece of art will be preserved correctly and you can also share it with others in an easy manner.

Can paintings be scanned?

Yes. Any and all artwork can be scanned as long as they are scanned on a flatbed scanner with the lid closed.

What DPI should I scan my artwork?

If you plan on printing it, later on, we recommend scanning at 600 DPI (dots per inch) and preferably the highest resolution possible. If you are planning to upload your art for others to view, 300ppi is ideal.

Can you scan watercolor?

Yes. Simply remove the excess water and dry your artwork before scanning. If you want to save time, we recommend using wet tissues or a hair blower to achieve this goal.

How do I scan a large piece of artwork?

You can scan a large piece of artwork on a large-scale flatbed scanner, or if the artwork is very large, you can scan it in sections and then stitch the pieces together using digital editing software. Often the scanner will come with software to help you accurately stitch your image together.

What is the best A3 scanner for artwork?

Top of the range large scale art scanner: Epson Perfection V850 Pro scanner

What type of scanner is used by professional graphic houses?

Large-format scanners are used by professional graphic houses to scan their images. These are often large, flatbed machines that are able to scan up to A0 size paper. They can handle canvas, acrylics, oil paintings, and even 3D objects!

Conclusion

One of the best things about art scanners is that they can be used for many different purposes. They are not just limited to scanning paintings and artwork, but also photographs, documents, business cards, receipts and other types of paper objects.

I hope that this guide helps you when it comes to choosing your own art scanner and scanning your artwork. I look forward to your questions in the comments 🙂

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